Mullein

mullein is a pretty plant, particularly conspicuous along highways in the city. it is quite tall, growing four to six feet high.

the entire plant is covered with fine, downy hairs that give mullein its characteristic soft, velvety texture and appearance, and help the plant retain moisture. the upper part of it"s stalk becomes the flower spike covered with densely packed buds.

mullein was introduced from europe, where it was an medicinal herb.
the greek physician-herbalist dioscorides was one of the first to recommend its use in curing diseases of the lungs, and it remained thus employed for more than 1,800 years. a wash prepared from the leaves, flowers, and roots soothed sprains, reduced inflammations, and healed wounds. the flowers infused in oil were used to cure hemorrhoids and as a specific cure for earache.

mullein was known in greek as flego and fluma, that is, "to set on fire." the leaves were rolled and dried and used as wicks for oil lamps and candles, and made excellent tinder. the stalks dipped in suet were burned thus the english name, high taper.